Towing camper with 1500 or 2500
#1
Towing camper with 1500 or 2500
Good evening folks. Been reading through the forums for the past couple hours on towing threads. Found some very useful information. Thanks for all those that contribute! I'd like to get opinions on my current situation.
Purchased a Travel Trailer for the family a couple weeks ago (we're upgrading from tent camping ) Anyway, we're now looking at used vehicles for towing this new toy (28ft travel trailer, last weighed at 5500 lbs loaded with previous owners camping gear). Well we've looked at and test drove quite a few vehicles. 2 Suburban 2500's, 3 Suburban 1500's, a Yukon XL 1500, and 2 excursions (V10 monsters). I like the Suburbans personally, but am unsure if I need to be concerned of the 1500's. I've read on here that they have weaker tranny's, smaller drum brakes in the back, etc.. from the 2500's. Should I stay away from the 1500's?
Guess I should also mention all above vehicles were in the 1999 - 2003 model year range.
Purchased a Travel Trailer for the family a couple weeks ago (we're upgrading from tent camping ) Anyway, we're now looking at used vehicles for towing this new toy (28ft travel trailer, last weighed at 5500 lbs loaded with previous owners camping gear). Well we've looked at and test drove quite a few vehicles. 2 Suburban 2500's, 3 Suburban 1500's, a Yukon XL 1500, and 2 excursions (V10 monsters). I like the Suburbans personally, but am unsure if I need to be concerned of the 1500's. I've read on here that they have weaker tranny's, smaller drum brakes in the back, etc.. from the 2500's. Should I stay away from the 1500's?
Guess I should also mention all above vehicles were in the 1999 - 2003 model year range.
Last edited by micromack; June 1st, 2011 at 9:15 PM. Reason: Updated info
#3
CF Senior Member
Good evening folks. Been reading through the forums for the past couple hours on towing threads. Found some very useful information. Thanks for all those that contribute! I'd like to get opinions on my current situation.
Purchased a Travel Trailer for the family a couple weeks ago (we're upgrading from tent camping ) Anyway, we're now looking at used vehicles for towing this new toy (28ft travel trailer, last weighed at 5500 lbs loaded with previous owners camping gear). Well we've looked at and test drove quite a few vehicles. 2 Suburban 2500's, 3 Suburban 1500's, a Yukon XL 1500, and 2 excursions (V10 monsters). I like the Suburbans personally, but am unsure if I need to be concerned of the 1500's. I've read on here that they have weaker tranny's, smaller drum brakes in the back, etc.. from the 2500's. Should I stay away from the 1500's?
Guess I should also mention all above vehicles were in the 1999 - 2003 model year range.
Purchased a Travel Trailer for the family a couple weeks ago (we're upgrading from tent camping ) Anyway, we're now looking at used vehicles for towing this new toy (28ft travel trailer, last weighed at 5500 lbs loaded with previous owners camping gear). Well we've looked at and test drove quite a few vehicles. 2 Suburban 2500's, 3 Suburban 1500's, a Yukon XL 1500, and 2 excursions (V10 monsters). I like the Suburbans personally, but am unsure if I need to be concerned of the 1500's. I've read on here that they have weaker tranny's, smaller drum brakes in the back, etc.. from the 2500's. Should I stay away from the 1500's?
Guess I should also mention all above vehicles were in the 1999 - 2003 model year range.
that being said, if you plan to go frequently I would definately lean towards the 3/4tons er I mean 2500's, but even then you will want to pay attention to the motor/tranny combos. depending on the usage again and see if you can justify the change in the gas consumption (if any).
either way you can't go wrong with the good old 350, so if you come across a 99 with the 5.7 I'd give it a good hard look.
I reckon if your wanting to just go on the safe side of things go with the 2500. (now that I've rambled all that out)
:chug:
#4
Thanks for the replies. I figure we might use it 12 weekends out of the year tops. Longest trip I can figure would be up north (Michigan), 3.5 hour drive, mostly flat road, minus the monster Zilwalkee Bridge we'd have to cross over. Other than that most other trips are withing 1 to 2 hrs drive. Tongue weight with the WD hitch would be around 620lb's I'm guessing. And trailer does have double axles with their own breaks.
#5
towing
I tow a 5,500 lb 26' boat with electric brakes with my '09 Tahoe (1500) and it has NO problems or do I ever feel like a bigger truck would help... i've towed up to 2.5 hrs without issue (Never had to go further).
#6
CF Senior Member
yes but your 09 is a big improvement with the autoride and 6 speed vs the early 2000 models...
to the OP that is quite a bit of pulling honestly. I would focus on the engine/transmission/rear end combo to give the best pulling. you can always get air bags to help with any possible sag in the rear suspension and a weight distribution hitch would help.
any of those trucks "would" pull the trailer but you are talking about an every month deal with some long distance so you don't want to be uncomfortable
to the OP that is quite a bit of pulling honestly. I would focus on the engine/transmission/rear end combo to give the best pulling. you can always get air bags to help with any possible sag in the rear suspension and a weight distribution hitch would help.
any of those trucks "would" pull the trailer but you are talking about an every month deal with some long distance so you don't want to be uncomfortable
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#8
CF Senior Member
Thanks for the replies. I figure we might use it 12 weekends out of the year tops. Longest trip I can figure would be up north (Michigan), 3.5 hour drive, mostly flat road, minus the monster Zilwalkee Bridge we'd have to cross over. Other than that most other trips are withing 1 to 2 hrs drive. Tongue weight with the WD hitch would be around 620lb's I'm guessing. And trailer does have double axles with their own breaks.
then I'd stand by what I said. you'd do fine with a 1/2 ton cept like others have mentioned I'd make sure it's got a tranny cooler. my 01 has one, but no guage.
but like I also said, if you want to go on the safe side go with the 3/4 ton.
:chug:
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